Vics 0 Dudley T 2

COMPETITION : Midland League Premier
DATE - Tuesday 30th January 2024
VENUE - The Barton Stadium, Winsford

LINE-UP Vics’ -
Reid, Ogundare, Barski, Allen, Langford, Perry (Unwin 62') Clarke, Gough (Switters 54'), McWilliams ( Farmer 78'), Sultan ( Parker 65'), Chimenes

Sub Not used : Grindrod
Bookings : Too many to mention !

GOALS - Dudley Town : Perry 14', Davies 68'

A first half in which Vics somehow kept the score down to just the one as Dudley played some quick direct powerful football. It only took them 14 minutes to take the lead as Colley took a free kick to Crook on the edge of the area before getting to the byline and then crossing the ball for Perry to head home at the near post. Vics did have a couple of chances through a Clarke strike just wide and a McWilliams effort which got deflected over the bar. However it was all Dudley , and the pressure mounted on the Vics' defence. However they stood firm, though required the help of the crossbar in the 39th minute when Dudley should have scored when a low corner found its way into the middle of the box and it seemed easier to score rather than miss !

HALF-TIME : Northwich Vics 0 Dudley Town 1

Vics came out for the second half stronger, and had 3 good chances to get back in the match in the first 15 minutes, as they pushed up higher with captain Matty Clarke restored to his midfield role. Firstly in the 47th minute, Marcus Perry broke down the right and crossed across goal where Niall Sultan couldn't quite stretch far enough to turn the ball home. Then 5 minutes later, Sam Langford won the ball back down the left, found Ethan Gough just inside the area, who had free space and time infront of him, but he hurried his shot and slashed the ball well wide. Next in the 59th minute, Clarke played a great ball into the box where Perry got to the ball before the keeper but couldn't get enough power on the poke towards goal which enabled a Town defender to race back and clear the ball from the line. Vics paid the price for their missed chances when in the 68th minute, Dudley dubiously won the ball back just outside the area through Crook who fed Davies who sent a delightful looped shot over Reid into the net . To make matters worse for Vics, Matty Clarke was shown a second yellow card for disputing the "foul" in the lead up to the goal and was sent off. This virtually ended the game as a contest though Vics still had 2 good chances in the last few minutes as Dylan Switters fired narrowly wide then Callum Parker somehow managed to scoop the ball over the bar from 2 yards out as a cross fell to him .

FULL-TIME : Northwich Vics 0 Dudley Town 2

A bad night for the Vics as Dudley deservedly won.
I must mention the referee , as he seemed to want to be the centre of attention as he somehow managed to book , I think 9 players, in a match which was never over physical or dirty. Some decisions were downright strange but at least he was equally bad for both teams .

NEXT MATCHES
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3rd League Away v Lichfield City 3.00pm
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 6th League Away v Highgate United 3.00pm